Paper piecing

[Alex A.]

I have gotten back into this technique big time - do you have any favorite tips or tricks that you can share?

[Alex A.]

The most important--short stitch length.

[Alex A.]

Great subject! Not enough time spent on this. I have taken this class at two different times and need to learn more.

[Paula D.]

Paper piecing is fantastic and totally addictive. Try an ocean waves pattern by grouping three triangles (making one larger triangle). So many patterns can be adapted to paper piecing by just thinking in groups rather than rows. Stay stitching often helps keep groups of pieces intact, however if you do, make sure you use a parchment paper, since getting the paper off can be quite a challenge. Lastly, for the smallest pieces, I found that even the slightest deviation from the stitching line can show up big time. So I use a magnifying light to get it perfect. I haven't tried it yet, but I bet Ricky's soluble stuff would be fantastic to eliminate the paper removal. - I gotta try that! And I always sew beyond the stitching line, rather than stopping at the intersection, and I use big big pieces, since I always "eyeball" it wrong, and it comes up short when I flip and press. FRUSTRATING! Hope some of this is helpful, cause Alex, I sure have learned a TON from you!

[Barbara B.]

I always use the "add-a-quarter" ruler to trim each seam before placing the next fabric in position to sew. It makes the entire process so easy!

[Barbara B.]

bbquiltmaker got in first with my No 1 tip. Also, Sue Garman did a great video tutorial somewhere near the beginning of the BOM last year which had some other good tips (I didn't do the BOM, so confess I didn't watch all the videos, I'll get round to watching one day )

[Betty D.]

I have been doing a lot of paper piecing lately--love the accuracy! I use a short stitch and a big (14) needle. Also, I use newsprint for the patterns as it tears away easily and cleanly. It can also be fed through the printer. I can get children's drawing tablets anywhere. I learned from Carol Doak's book and DVD. Betty D

[Betty D.]

Hi Several of my friends told me about this, and I am now doing it my self, BOUNCE dryer sheets ( they must be used first ) and then ironed flat, they are very fine so it is easy to trace the design through them, then you just leave them in when you have done sewing. your block smells lovely too. I have done it with hand sewing and machine sewn blocks. Dorothy UK

[Damaris E.]

Gotta have Alex Anderson's 4-in-1 tool!!

[Damaris E.]

I know Carol Doak's show is coming up and I can't wait to see it. Watching her DVD on how to paper-piece made it SO EASY! It's now one of my favorite methods for accuracy. So for anybody having trouble, I'd highly recommend going to Carol's website and ordering her DVD.

[Damaris E.]

I took a workshop with Carol Doak! Learned a ton! Her mantra is TSP (think teaspoon!) Trim, using the add a quarter ruler and a postcard, this helps with placement of the piece of fabric. Sew, using a short stitch beyond the start and start of the seam, then Press the fabric in place. Repeat until done

[Lynn K.]

And please, please, PLEASE check your tension. I am just getting around to quilting a round robin done with paper piecing and am finding that several folks used such terrible tension that when I pull the paper away, sometimes the whole bobbin thread just comes with it!

So I am decorative stitching the TOP of the flying geese round (which is lovely in color and placement) i.e. the Cotton Method, and then will quilt. This way my quilt will stay together.

Lesson learned about letting others contribute to your work. What is their work ethic?

[Beth A.]

Cut the pieces BIGGER than you think they need to be -- and then upsize them some more!!

(Guess how I learned this one???)

BethMI

[Beth A.]

I also use the "add-a-quarter" ruler which gives the correct edge to lay the next fabric to. I firmly finger press each seam and iron only the completed block. If it was for a larger block, I would probably press with the iron. I also use an old rotary cutter to trim paper at the end. I usually transfer the blade from my good cutter to the old one when I buy a new blade. I find paper piecing great for small blocks. Jan

[Teri L.]

Before starting stitching I write on the paper where the various fabrics are going to go along with size that the pieces need to be cut prior to piecing.

Before removing the paper dip a cotton swab in water, run it along the seam line, this will release the paper without pulling at the stitching/thread.

If using something heavier than the Carol Doak paper (newsprint or old math paper) crease the paper in both directions prior to stitching, this begins to weaken the stitching line making it easier to tear later.

Happy Quilting!
Teri